Retrievable bridge plug



July 16, 1957 R. c. BAKER ETAL 2,799,346

RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG 5 Sheet's-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS.

Arroz/VE YS R. C. BAKER ETAL RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUG July 16, 1957 Filed oct. 12, 195;

BEUBEN C BA1/ 52, MAQT/N CoA/@A0,

J 07mm M4 )AW July 16, 1957 R. c. BAKER ETAL 2,799,346

RETRIEVABLE BRIDGE PLUGy -rraeA/EYS RETREVABLE BRlDGE FLUG and Martin B. Conrad, Sts, ins., Las

ria

Reuben C. Earlier, Coalinga,

Downey, Calif., assignors to Baker Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Caii Application ctober 12, 1953, Seriai No. 335,334 29 Claims. (Ci. 16e-135) The present invention relates to subsurface well tools, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be anchored in packed-oit` condition in the well conduit, such as a string of well casing positioned in a bore hole.

An object of the present invention is to provide a well packer, such as a bridge plug, capable of being anchored in a well conduit against movement in both longitudinal directions and of being released and retrieved or moved to another location in the well conduit whenever desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a retrieva'ole type of well conduit bridging plug capable of allowing uid to by-pass through the plug while it is being moved longitudinally in both directions through the well conduit, the by-pass being automatically closed when the plug is set in the conduit by lluid tending to flow through the plug in either longitudinal directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a retrievable bridging plug capable of use in connection with formation fracturing, acidizing, cementing, testing and similar operations in well bores.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best deiined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figures 1 and la together constitute a longitudinal section through a bridging plug connected to a runningin and retrieving device, with the parts occupying the position they occupy while the tool is being lowered through a well casing, Fig. la constituting a lower continuation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of one of the slip segments forming part of the tool shown in Figs. 1 and 1a;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken along the line 3-3 on Fig. la;

Figs. 4 and 4a are views similar to Figs. 1 and la disclosing the bridging plug anchored against downward movement in the well conduit, Fig. 4a constituting a lower continuation of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a view `similar to Fig. 4a disclosing the arrangement of certain of the parts with the bridging plug anchored to the well casing against upward movement therein;

Figs. 6 and 6a are views corresponding to Figs. 1 and la disclosing the retrieving of the bridging plug from the well casing;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken along the line 7-7 on Fig. 6.

The retrievable Well packer or bridge plug A is adapted to be connected to a running-in and retrieving tool B, which, in turn, is connected to the lower end of a tubular string of drill pipe or tubing C, or to the lower end of another well tool (not shown), such as an upper retrievable packer adapted to be anchored to the Well casing. The well packer A is run in the well casing D to the desired setting point, after which the retrieving tool B is disconnected therefrom and elevated from the Well packer or plug A. The latter is then capable of being anchored in leakproof relation against the well casing to preclude longitudinal movement of the plug in both directions. Thereafter, if it is desired to release the tool A from the well casing and to remove it, the retrieving tool B is again connected to the bridging plug A, and the latter then moved longitudinally in the well casing in either an upward or a downward direction. During movement of the bridge plug in either longitudinal direction in the well casing, fluid is allowed to by-pass through the packer. However, following the release of the retrieving tool B- from the packer, the by-pass passage is automatically closed.

As disclosed in the drawings, the bridge plug or well packer portion A of the apparatus includes a central coaxially disposed body 10 which, for purposes of convenience of manufacture and assembly of the apparatus, is made into several portions, including an upper body portion 11, the lower end of which is threadedponto the upper end of a lower body portion 12. A set of upper segmental slips 13 is disposed around the packer body, these slips having upper head portions 14 whose inner surfaces 15 are inclined in a downward and inward direction for cooperation with companion tapered surfaces 16 on an upper expander 17 that is suitably secured to the body 1li of the tool. When the upper expander 17 is moved downwardly with the body 1t) relative to the upper slips 13, the latter are urged in an outward direction to embed their wickers 1S into the wall of the Well casing or conduit D, thereby anchoring the body 1t) of the tool to the conduit against downward movement.

The upper expander 17 is prevented from moving longitudinally of the body lil by having its lower smaller end engage a shoulder 19 on the body, with its upper end bearing against a packing cup thimble 20 which receives the lower or base portion 21 of an upwardly facing packing cup 22, which may be made of rubber or rubber-like material. This cup has an upper lip portion 23 adapted to slidably seal against the wall of the well casing D, to prevent downward passage of fluid between the packing cup and the casing wall. Fluid is prevented from passing between the base portion 21 of the packing cup and the packer body 10 by a side seal ring 24 of rubber or rubberlike material in a groove 25 in the body adapted to bear against a metallic sleeve 26 secured in the base portion 21 of the packing cup. The packing member 22 itself is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect to the body 10 by a clamp and valve cage device 27, the lower portion of which is threaded onto the upper end of the body 10 land bears against the base 21 of the packing cup, the latter, in turn, bearing against the thimble 20, which engages the upper expander 17 that, as previously described, has its lower portion engaging the body shoulder 19.

A set of lower segmental slips 2S also encompasses the body 10, these lower slips including lower head portions 29 whose inner surfaces 3b taper in an upward and inward direction for cooperation with companion tapered surfaces 31 on a lower expander 32 that is secured to the body of the tool. The lower expander is prevented from moving longitudinally of the body by having its upper small end engage a shoulder 33 provided by the lower end of the upper body portion 11, and with its lower end engaging a lower thimble 34 surrounding the body and receiving the base portion 35 of a lower packing member 36, which is similar to the upper packing member 22, although reversed in position on the body 1t) of the tool. This base portion 35 also carries a sleeve 37 adapted to seal against a rubber or rubber-like seal ring 38 carried in a ring groove 39 in the periphery of the body, to prevent uid leakage between the packing and the body. The packing 36 faces in a downward direction and has its lower lip portion 40 adapted to slidably seal against the Wall of the well casing D, to prevent upward passage of fluid between the packing and the well casing. In a manner similar to the upper packing 22, the lower packing device is prevented from moving longitudinally on the body 10 by a lower retainer and valve cage 41 threaded onto the lowermost portion of the lower body member 12 and bearing against the base 35 of the packing, clamping the latter against its thimble 34, which, in turn, engages the lower end of the lower expander 32 that is prevented from moving upwardly by the body shoulder 33, If desired, the expander 32 may be further secured to the body 10 by one or more screws 42.

When the body l@ of the tool and the lower expander 32 move upwardly with respect to the lower set of slips 2S, the lower expander will shift the lower slips laterally outward, to embed their wickers 43 into anchoring engagement in the wall of the well casing D, thereby preventing the tool from being moved upwardly within the well casing. The lower packing 36 will prevent Huid from passing in an upward direction between the body 10 of the tool and the well casing D.

Relative longitudinal movement between the body 10 and the expanders 17, 32 mounted thereon, on the one hand, and the sets of upper and lower slips 13, 28, on the other hand, is secured by resisting the longitudinal movement of the slips through the provision of a drag device. This drag device includes longitudinally extending drag blocks 44 circumferentially spaced from one another and slidably mounted in longitudinal grooves 4S in a slip and drag block housing 46 slidable along the periphery of the body 10 of the tool. The drag blocks 45 are urged outwardly into frictional engagement with the wall f the well casing D by a plurality of helical compression springs 47 received Within internal sockets 4S in each drag block and bearing against the bases of the sockets 48 and also against the bases 49 of the contining housing grooves 45. Outward movement of the drag blocks 44 is limited by the engagement of their upper and lower terminal portions 50 with upper and lower stop rings 51 secured to the housing in any suitable manner, as through use of the screws 52 attaching the rings to the housing 46.

Both the upper and lower sets of slips 13, 23 are secured to the housing 46, in order that the drag blocks 44 will resist their movement within the well casing, and enable the body and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 to be shifted longitudinally with respect thereto. Thus, the upper slips 13 have depending arms 53 terminating in inwardly directed flanges 54 received within a circumferential groove 55 provided in the mid-portion of the housing 46 between the circurnterentially spaced drag blocks 44. Each slip segment/structure is provided with a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending slots 56 extending throughout substantially its entire length to a region adjacent the ange 54, so that the arms 53 are liexible and will allow the slips to be deflected in an outward direction into engagement with the wall of the well casing D. The ange portions S4 of the slips themselves are prevented from coming out of their companion groove by an arcuate holding device 57 disposed across the llange portion 54 and secured to the slip and drag block housing 46 by one or more screws 5x3.

The lower set of slips 2? is attached to the housing 46 in the same manner as the upper set of slips 13, this lower set of slips having upper inwardly directed flanges 54 received within arcuately spaced grooves 55 in the housing between the drag blocks 44, and retained therein by the same slip holder 57 that maintains the upper slips t anges 54 in their grooves. The lower slips 28 are also provided with longitudinal slots 56 from a region adjacent their flange portion 54 to the lower end of the slips, to provide the flexible or spring-like arm 53a that will enable the head portion 29 of the slips to be expanded laterally outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing D.

The drag block stop rings 51 are spaced laterally outward away from the slip arms 53, 53a a suicient distance to allow the heads 14, 29 of the slips 13, 28 to move without restraint laterally into engagement with the well casing. rhe slips themselves normally tend to remain in an inward direction because of the spring characteristics of the arm portions 53, 53a. However, assurance is had that the slips are held in a retracted position when they are not to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the well casing by providing slip retainer and retractor rings 60, 61 for the upper and lower sets of slips 13, 28. Thus, a ring et) can be disposed around the shoulder portions 62 of the upper set of slips 13 which interconnect the head and arm portions 13, 53, the shoulder portions being thicker in radial dimension than the arm portions, their outer surfaces being adapted to engage the ring 69, which will prevent the wickers 18 of the head 14 from moving into engagement with the casing wall. The shoulder portions S52 are interconnected with the arm portions 53 by the tapered surfaces 63, which are capable or" engaging the upper end of the ring 60 in order to urge the slip heads 14 in an inward direction.

The retainer and retractor ring is supported in position by a plurality of longitudinally extending bars 64 disposed between the slip segments 13, their lower ends being welded to the upper end of the ring 6i) and their upper portions being clamped between the upper expander 17 and upper thimble 20, the upper portions of the bars being prevented from disconnecting from the upper expander by a holding ring 65 encompassing the bars and suitably secured to the expander, as by one or more screws 66.

The lower set of slips 28 is similarly held in its retracted position against inadvertent outward movement by a lower retainer and retractor ring 61 encompassing the enlarged shoulder portions 67 of the lower slips, the lower end of this ring being engageable with the tapered surfaces 68 on the slip segments interconnecting the shoulders 67 and the arm portions 53a, to urge the lower slip heads 29 inwardly away from engagement with the casing, in the manner described hereinbelow. The lower ring 61 is held in appropriate position by a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending bars 69 welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the lower end of the ring 61, the bars being clamped between the lower expander 32 and the lower thimble 34, being held in appropriate position on the lower expander by an encompassing holding ring 7@ secured to the lower expander by one or more screws 71. As is true of the upper sets of slips 13, the lower stop ring 51 is spaced sufficiently away from the lower slip arms 53a to avoid interference with the lateral outward movement of the lower slips 28 into engagement with the well casing D.

Since the drag blocks 44 are resisting longitudinal movement of the upper and lower sets of slips 13, 2E in the well casing, relative longitudinal movement of the body 1d and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 connected thereto will expand either the upper or the lower slips into anchoring engagement with the wall ot the well casing, depending upon the direction of longitudinal movement of the body 1G and the expanders 17, 32. Thus, should the body and the expanders be moved downwardly, then the upper expander 17 will be moved down within the upper slips 13, shifting the latter radially outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing, these slips, in elfect, bending or rocking about their lower flange portion 54. It is to be noted that when the `upper slip heads 14 are in their retracted position, the

tapered slip surfaces 15 are not parallel tothe expander surface 16 but make au acute angle with respect thereto. The di'erence in inclination is provided so that when the slips 13 are rocked outwardly intoI engagement with the well casing the surfaces 15, 16 are substantially parallel, enabling the expander surface 16 to make full bearing engagement against the slip surfaces 15, as is evident from an inspection of Fig. 4a.

The relative downward movement of the body and expanders 17, 32 with respect to the slips will anchor the upper slips 13 against the well casing. However, the lower slips 28 will still remain in a retracted position, since the lower expander 32 is merely moved downwardly away from the lower slips. On the other hand, should the body 10 be moved in an upward direction, then theV body and expanders 17, 32 will be shifted upwardly with respect to the slips, the upper expander 17 moving out of wedging engagement within the upper slips 13, thisY upward movement causing the retractor ring 60 to engage the tapered slip surfaces 63, to insure the inward movement of the slip heads 14 out of engagement with the well casing, the ring 60 moving at least slightly over the shoulder portion 62 to retain the slips 13 in this reJ tracted position.

The upward movement of the lower expander 32 will move the lower retainer and retractor ring 61 out of a position to engage the lower slip shoulders 67, where upon the lower expander 32 can be wedged upwardly within the lower slips 28 to urge the latter radially out ward into engagement with the wall of the well casing. As is true of the upper expander 17 and upper slips 13, the tapered surfaces 31, 30 on the lower expander 32 and lower slips 28 are not parallel to one another when the lower slips are in retracted position, the surfaces malo ing an acute angle with respect to each other. But when the lower expander 32 moves upwardly within the lower slips 23, the latter are rocked or pivoted about their ange portions 54 outwardly against the casing D, in which position their tapered surfaces 30 will be substantially parallel to the lower expander tapered surface 31 to insure full bearing engagement between the expander 32 and slips 28.

It is, therefore, apparent that when the body 10 and expanders 17, 32 are moved in a downward direction that the upper slip retainer 60 is moved out of its holding position with respect to the upper slips 13, but the lower slip retainer 61 remains in its holding position with respect to the shoulders 67 of the lower slips 28, the upper expander 17 then shifting the slips 13 outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. Conversely, upon upward movement of the body 10 and the expanders 17, 32, the upper retractor ring 60 moves in a position to urge and hold the upper slip heads 14 in a retracted position, the lower retainer ring 61 being shifted upwardly by the lower expander out of holding engagement with the lower slips 2S, whereJ upon the lower expander 32 can be wedged upwardly within the lower slip heads 29, to urge them laterally outward into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing D.

The ability of either the upper or the lower sets of slips to be moved in a lateral outward direction depends upon the relative longitudinal movement of the body and expanders with respect to the slips. Such relative longitudinal movement is prevented until it is desired to secure an anchoring of the packer or plug in the well casing. As disclosed in the drawings, the slip and drag block housing 46 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 73 in this inner wall in which the outer ends of a lat cross-piece or bar 74 are received, such outer ends of this bar being adapted to engage the lower ends '73a of the slots or the upper ends 73b of the slots. This cross-piece 74 extends through diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 75 in the body in alignment with the housing slots 73, but having a greater length than the housing slots.

The cross-piece 74 also extends through a transverse slot 76 in a control rod 77'extending completely through the packer body 10. This control rod has an upper reduced diameter portion 78 slidable through the transverse portion 79 of the upper valve cage 27. It also has a lower reduced-diameter portion 80 slidable through the lower transverse portion 81 of the lower valve cage 41. Thus, the valve cages 27, 41 retain the control rod 77 coaxially ofthe body 10 of the tool, while permitting the rod 77 to `slide longitudinally in an upward or downward direction relative to the body 10 of the tool. The main intermediate portion of the control rod 77, through which the cross-piece 74 extends, has a diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of the body 10, to afford ample passage area for the flow of iluid through the body, as described hereinbelow.

When the control rod 77 is shifted downward with respect to the body, the cross-piece 74 will engage the lower ends 73a of the housing slots 73 and will shift the housing `46 in a downward direction along the body 10 a comparatively short distance, until the cross-piece engages the lower ends 75a of the body slots. The distance that the slip and drag block housing 46 is thus moved in a downward direction along the body 10 is comparatively short, the parts being so proportioned that the drag block housing 46 and the slips 13, 2S connected thereto are disposed in substantially a central position between the upper and lower expanders 17, 32. Thus, with the crosspiece 74 engaging the lower ends 75a, 73a of the body slots 75 and the housing slots 73, downward movement of the control rod 77 will carry the body 10 and the drag block housing 46 downward as a unit, so that there is no relative downward movement of the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 with respect to the upper and lower slips 13, 28, the latter remaining in their neutral position, such as disclosed in Fig. la. Similarly, in the event of the control rod 77 is moved upwardly within the body, the upper ends of the cross-piece 74 will engage the upper ends 75h, 73b of the body slots 75 and the housing slots 73, further upward movement of the control rod then carrying the body 1d and housing 46 upwardly as a unit with it, the body being prevented from moving upwardly relative to the housing 46, which would result (if it could occur) in upward movement of the lower expander 32 within the lower slips 28 and anchoring engagment of the latter with the wall of the well casing.

When the cross-piece 74 is placed in an intermediate position within the housing and body slots 73, 75, then the body 10, and the upper and lower expanders 17, 32 connected thereto, can move in both an upward and a downward direction with respect to the housing 46 and the upper and lower slips 13, 2S connected thereto. When there is no upward or downward directed force imposed on the control rod 77 tending to shift its cross-piece 74 either down within the body and housing slots 75, 73 or upward therewithin, the control rod 77 and its crosspiece are disposed in a central position with respect to the slots, such as disclosed in Figs. 4a and 5. Such central disposition is provided by upper and lower springs 85, 86. The springs not only are availed of to locate the control rod 77 in a central position, but they are also availed of to determine the open or closed position of the passage 87 through the packer or bridge plug body.

The upper helical compression spring 35 is disposed on the upper reduced diameter portion 7S of the control rod, this spring engaging the upper valve cage 27 and also an upper valve head 88 which is slidable in a downward direction along the reduced diameter portion 7S of the control rod into engagement with a valve seat S9 provided within the upper portion of the tool body 1t). Thus, the spring tends to urge the valve head 88 downwardly, so that its cylindrical portion 83a is disposed within the upper valve seat 89, as determined by engagement of the valve head stop flange 9i) with the upper end 91 of the body 10. The valve head. 88 is provided with a suitable rubber or rubber-like side seal ring 92 in a peripheral ring groove 93 and adapted to engage the cylindrical valve seat portion S9 of the body of the tool. Leakage of fluid between the control rod 78 and the valve head 88 is prevented by a rod packing ring 94 disposed in an internal groove 95 in the valve head and engaging the yperiphery of the rod 78.

A lower valve device is also provided, including a lower valve head 96 urged in an upward direction into sealing engagement with a cylindrical valve seat 97 provided at the lower end of the packer body 10. The helical compression spring 86 surrounds the lower reduced diameter portion 8G of the control rod, its lower end bearing against the valve cage 41 and its upper end against the valve head 96, urging the latter in an upward direction to shift it within the lower cylindrical valve seat 97,'as determined by engagement of a flange 9S on the valve head with the lower end 99 of the body 10. Leakage of uid between the head 96 and the cylindrical valve seat 97 is prevented by a side seal ring 100 mounted in a peripheral groove Ml inthe valve head and adapted to sealingly engage the valve seat 97. Leakage of fluid between the lower reduced diameter rod portion 80 and the lower valve head 96 is prevented by providing a rod packing ring 102 in an internal groove 193 in the valve head slidably and sealingly engaging the control rod 80. The upper valve head 83 can be urged downwardly by the upper spring 35, not only to shift the upper valve head into sealing engagement with the upper valve seat 89, but also to engage the valve head 88 with an upper shoulder 164 formed on the control rod between its upper 78 and central positions, and tending to shift the control rod 77 in a downward direction. Similarly, the lower spring S6 urges the lower valve 96 in an upward direction toward a position of engagement with its valve seat 97, this lower valve head being adapted to engage a lower downwardly directed shoulder M formed between the intermediate portion of the rod 77 and its lower reduced diameter portion Si?, tending to elevate the rod 77 within the packer body lil. When the rod 77 is unrestrained by external forces, the springs 35, 86 will shift the valve heads into engagement with their seats, the heads 88, 96 engaging 'the rod shoulders Ittlti, 195 and disposing the rod in a central position, in which the cross-piece 74- is located approximately midway within the body and housing slots 7S, 73, to allow the body it? to be shifted longitudinally relative to the slip and drag block housing 46 and the upper and lower slips 13, 2%.

Although the springs S5, 6 and valve heads 8S, 96 are effective to center the control rod 77, in the manner described above, through engagement with the rod shoulders 16d, 105, the latter are effective to engage the valve heads 83, 96 and hold them in open positions. Thus, a downward force imposed on the control rod 77 will cause the lower shoulder 165 to engage the lower head 96 and shift it off its seat 97 to open position. Similarly, an upwardly directed force imposed on the control rod 77 will shift the upper shoulder H34 into engagement with the upper valve head S8, to move it out of engagement with its valve seat S9 against the force of the spring 85,

The springs S5', 36 are cooperable with their respective valve heads 353, 96 to shift the fatter to valve closing position. However, the fiuid pressure within the tool is effective to shift each valve head against the force of its associated spritu7 to open position, during the actual elevating or lowering of the tool in the well casing, in the manner described hereinbelow.

The parts are so proportioned and arranged with respect to one another that during the lowering of the control rod 77 with respect to the body Il@ the cross-piece 74 is not only placed in a position of engagement with the lower ends of the body'slots 75 and housing slots 73, to prevent the slips 13, V2S from being Yexpanded against the well casing, but the lower rod shoulder engages the lower valve head 96 to move and hold it off its valve seat 97, thereby allowing fluid to flow upwardly through the valve cage 4l into the body it), passing upwardly through the body passage 87 and around the rod 77, the pressure of the fluid bearing against the upper valve head and shifting it to open position from its valve seat 39 against the force of the spring 85, this fluid then passing outwardly through the upper valve cage 27 for discharge into the well casing D above the packer A.

When the control rod 77 is moved in an upward direction, the upper shoulder` 164 engages the upper valve head 83 to positively hold it off its seat 89. When this occurs, the lower shoulder 105 has been elevated considerably above the lower valve head 96. However, any fluid flowing realtively downwardly around the upper valve head 88 and into the body passage 37 will engage the lower valve head 96 and unseat it against the force of its spring 86, the fluid discharging through the lower valve cage 41 into the casing D below the well tool. When an external force is removed from the control rod 77, then, as stated above, the springs S5, 86 are effective to engage both of the valve heads 8S, 96 with their seats S9, 97, and to shift the control rod 77 to the neutral position within the body and housing slots 75, 73, thereby preventing passage of fluid in both directions through the body l@ of the well packer.

The control rod 77 is shifted downward or upward with respect to the body 1t) of the tool because of the frictional resistance offered by the packing cups 22, 36 against the wall of the well casing. lf such frictional resistance is insufficient, then it may be supplemented by a guide and drag spring llt), which is secured to the lower cage 41 by a retaining ring lll attached to the Cage by one or more screws 12, the spring 1M) being bowed in an outward direction to frictionally engage the wall of the well casing D. The spring il@ and the upper and lower packing cups 22, 36 tend to resist longitudinal movement of the body il@ in the well casing, allowing the control rod 77 to be shifted in both an upward and a downward direction with respect to the body.

In the operation and use of the well packer bridge plug in a conduit string, such as a well casing, the tool A is inserted in the well casing D and a downward force im* posed on the control rod 77 to push the tool down the casing. Such downward'force at first shifts the control rod 77 in a downward direction, to cause its lower shoulder 10S to unseat the lower valve head 96 and to locate the cross-piece or bar 74 in its lowermost position within the housing and body slots 73, 75, which locates the upper and lower slips 13, 23 in a neutral position with respect to the upper and lower expanders 17, 32. Downward movement of the control rod 77, acting through the cross-piece 74, then causes the rod 77, body lt) and slip and drag block housing 46 to move down as a unit through the well casing D, the slips 13, 28 remaining in their neutral position (Figs. 1 and la). During such downward movement, the fiuid in the well casing can by-pass around the packing structures 22, 36 by flowing upwardly through the open lower valve seat 97 into the body 10, the fluid pushing the upper valve head 83 in an upward direction to open position against the force of the upper spring 85, and then passing out of the packer through openings in the upper valve cage 27.

The downward movement continues until the location in the well casing D is reached at which the tool A is to be anchored. During all of such downward movement, it is evident that the upper expander 17 is incapable of expanding the upper slips 13 against the well casing. When the setting location is reached, the downward force on the control rod 77 is released, the springs 85, 86 then jgranella shifting both the upper and lower valve heads 88, 9,6r to closed position, to close the body 1% against iluid passage in either direction, the lower valve head 96 engaging the control rod shoulder S to shift the cross-piece 74 to a neutral position.

Assuming that pressure is then imposed in the well casing D above the bridge plug A (see Figs. 4 and 4a) such pressure will then act down across the upper packing 22, as well as across'the area of the body 10 and the upper valve head 88, shifting the body 10 and all Yparts connected thereto, which includes the upper ex pander 17, in a downward direction relative to the slips 13, 2,8, which do not move downwardly because of the frictional resistance against the well casing afforded by the drag blocks 4,4. The upper expander 17 is then shifted within the upper slips 13 to expand the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing. Asl explained above, the slip retainer and retractor ring -60 is shifted out of its holding position with respect to the slips 13 to allow them to move in an outward direction into anchoring engagement with the well casing. rIhus, the packing 22 prevents fluid passage between the body 10 of the tool and the well casing D, the upper valve head 8 8 prevents downward passage of duid through the valve body 10, and the upper expander 17 and upper shps 13 prevent downward movement of the entire tool A in the well casing D.

If a pressure differential is present below the well packer instead of above it, as has just been assumed, then the uid under pressure will act in an upward direction on the lower packing 36, the body 10 of the tool and lower valve head 9.6, shifting the packing 36 and the body 10, as well as all parts connected thereto, including the lower expander 32, in an upward direction with respect to the drag housing 46 and the slips 13, 28 (see Fig. 5). The lower expander 32 will then be moved up within the lower slips 28 to shift the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the well casing. The iirst portion of the upward movement of the body 10 and lower expander 32 removes the lower slip retainer and drag ring 61 from their conning position around the lower slip shoulders 67, in Order to allow the lower slips 28 to expand outwardly. Such upward movement of the body 10 also shifts the upper expander 17 out of wedging engagement with the upper slips 13, and causes the upper slip retainer and retractor ring 6) to engage the tapered surfaces 63 interconnecting the shoulders 62 and arms 53, to urge the slip heads 14 inwardlyto their retracted position.

Thus, itis apparent that once the force on the control rod 77 has beenremoved the pressure in the well casing D itself is effective to prevent either downward or upward movement of the plug A therewithin, depending upon the direction in which this pressure is acting.

In the event it is desired to release the tool A and move it to a dierent location in the well casing D, ,or remove it entirely from the well casing, a suitable mechanism is provided which becomes coupled to the control rod 77, allowing the latter to be moved in an upward direction within and with respect to the packer body 10. The cross-piece 74 is thus moved upwardly into engagement with the upper ends 75h, 73b of the body and housing slots 75, 73 (Figs. 6 and 6a), which will effectively place the housing 46 and slips 13, 28 in a neutral position between the upper and lower expanders 17, 32, and hold them in that position during upward movement of the control rod 77 within the casing D, which, of course, will also carry all of the parts upwardly in the well casing with it as a unit, since the cross-piece 74 effectively connects the control rod 77 to the body 10 and the housing 46. This position is disclosed in Fig. 6a. During such upward movement, the upper shoulder 194 engages the upper valve head 88 and holds it oi its seat 89, the uid being allowed to pass downwardly into the body 10 of the tool to unseat the lower valve head 96 against the force of its spring 86 for discharge through the openings in the lower valve cage 41. The tool A may then be elevated to a higher position in the well casing and the force on the control rod 77 again released, to allow the well packer to set itself in leakproof condition against the well casing. Of course, the tool could also be lowered .in the well casing to another location, the downward force on the control rod 77 then being released to allow the well packer A to anchor itself in the well casing.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a well packer or bridge plug has been provided which is capable of being anchored in a well casing, or similar well conduit, against movement in both longitudinal directions, and which can be released for the purpose ofbeing reset at either a higher or a lower position in the well casing, or to be removed entirely therefrom. The tool is simple in its operation and has a minimum of moving parts. The slips themselves are either retracted or expanded, the slips moving between retracted and expanded positions as a result of a rocking or swinging motion about their anchoring points to the drag block housing 46. That is to say, the slips do not move in comparatively straight-line fashion between retracted and expanded positions, but are rocked or pivoted between those positions.

The tool may be run in the well casing by any suitable mechanism and it may also be retrieved therefrom by any suitable mechanism, such as a releasing device or overshot. A particular form of releasing and running-in device B is shown in the drawings, this particular form of device being both described and claimed in our application Serial No. 385,335, tiled Oct. l2, 1953, now Patent No. 2,778,428, for Releasable Apparatus for Retrieving Sub surface Well Devices, to which attention is invited.

rEhe releasable device B for running-in the bridge plug in the well casing and for retrieving it therefrom, specically disclosed in the drawings, includes an outer housing or cylinder threaded onto a sub 121, which is, in turn, threaded into a collar 122 secured on the lower end of the tubular string C. The cylinder 120 has a depending wash-over sleeve 123 secured to it to facilitate the location of the overshot or retrieving apparatus centrally with respect to the bridge plug A. The lower portion of the wash-over sleeve 123 can encompass the upper valve cage 27, and will tend to centralize the housing or cylinder 120 with respect to the control rod 77 to which the retrieving and running-in device B is actually to be associated.

The control rod 77 extends upwardly to a substantial extent above the upper valve cage 27, being provided with an upper head 124 extending outwardly from the reduced diameter portion 7S of the control head to form an outwardly directed shoulder 12S adapted to be engaged by the inward nose .portions 126 of latch members 127 carried by an annular piston 128 slidable in the cylinder 121i, and also along a mandrel 129 threaded into the lower end of the tubular sub 121. The mandrel 129 actually defines an annular cylinder space 130 with the housing 120. Leakage along the inner and outer walls of the annular piston 128 is prevented by suitable side seal rings 131 in its inner and outer surfaces slidably engaging the wall of the cylinder 128 and the periphery of the mandrel 129.

The upper portion of the piston 128 is enlarged, to provide a stop shoulder 132 engageable with a companion stop shoulder 133 on the mandrel 129. The piston is normally urged in a downward direction by a helical compression spring 134 encompassing the mandrel 129, with its lower portion engaging the piston 128 and its upper portion the lower end of the sub 121. Any lluid that might be disposed in the annular cylinder 130 above the piston rings may be dispelled from the cylinder through one or more bleeder ports 135 provided through the upper portion of the outer housing or cylinder 120 and communicating with the annular cylinder` space 130.

The latches or dogs 127, as stated above, are pivoted to the lower portion of the piston 128, as by providing outwardly extending hooks 136 on the latches received within an annular groove 137 in the lower portion of the piston. These dogs 127 extend downwardly from the piston along the lower portion of the mandrel, the mandrel having a tapered nose 138 engageable with the upper surfaces 139 of the latch noses 126 and tending to urge the latches 127 in an outward direction. The lower ends 140 of the latches are engageable with a downward and inwardly inclined surface 141 in the lower portion of the cylinder or housing 120, which tends to urge the noses 126 of the latches under the control rod shoulder 125. When the latches are disposed in a still lower position, their outer surfaces 142 are engaged with a downward and inwardly tapering surface 143 disposed below the surface 141 just mentioned, which securely holds the latches 127 under the control rod shoulder 125.

The wash-over apparatus B is not only useful in retrieving the plug A from the well casing, but lt is also useful in moving the plug down the casing in the rst instance. To'accomplish this purpose, a spider 144 is secured tothe upper portion of the control rod 77 below its latching shoulder 125. This spider includes an outward ribbed portion 145 adapted to engage the downwardly flaring inner surface 146 on the lower end of the housing and cylinder 120. `he ribbed portion 145 is secured to a sleeve 147, which rests upon a split snap ring 148 contained within a peripheral groove 149 in the control rod 77, in order to prevent downward movement of the spider 144 and its sleeve along the control rod. The upper end 150 of the sleeve 147 is tapered in an upward and inward direction and is spaced a suiicient distance below the rod shoulder 125 to allow the latch noses 126 to move inwardly into complete engagement with the control rod shoulder 125.

During downward movement of the apparatus in the well casing, the lower flaring surface 146 of the housing or cylinder 121i is engaging the spider 144 on the control rod 77, the downward motion of the tubing C, collar 122, sub 121 and cylinder 120 being transmitted through the spider to the control rod 77, shifting the latter to its lowermost position within the body 10, in which the lower valve head 96 is held open and the cross-piece or bar 74 is disposed at the lower ends of the housing and body slots 75, 73, thereby precluding setting of the plug in the casing. During such lowering movement, it is immaterial whether or not the latches 127 are coupled to the control rod '77 by being engaged under the rod shoulder 125, since the downward movement can be transmitted between the overshot housing 120 and the control rod 77. As disclosed in Fig. 1, the latches 127 are in a position to engage the periphery of the spider sleeve 147 and will not engage under the shoulder. The spring 134 is urging the piston 128 in a downward direction, but the piston cannot move downwardly since the latch noses 126 engage the spider sleeve 147.

When it is desired to remove the overshot or retrieving tool B from the plug A, in order to allow the latter to anchor itself in the well casing, the tubing string C need merely be elevated, which will elevate the housing or cylinder 120 with respect to the control rod 7'7, thereby removing the downward force on the control rod and allowing it to assume its neutral position, such as disclosed in Fig. 4a. Should the force of the spring 134 be sutiicient to shift the latch noses 126 under the shoulder 125, upon upward movement of the cylinder 120 and mandrel 129, the release can be elfected simply by applying pressure to the uid in the tubing string C, this pressure passing downwardly through the sub 121 and the mandrel 129, and being throttled because of the narrow space or annular oriice provided between the spider sleeve 147 and the narrow portion `of the passage through the cylinder 120. Such throttling action builds up sufficient back pressure under the piston 128 to shift it in an upward direction against the force of the spring 134, carrying the latches 127 upwardly and causing the latch noses 126 to engage the lower end 138 of the mandrel 129 and be shifted laterally outward to a position in which the noses are incapable of engaging the control rod shoulder (Fig. l).

The tubing string C may now be elevated, to completely remove the retrieving device or overshot B from the control rod '77. If desired, the entire tubing string C and retrieving device B can be removed from the Well casing. lf the tubing string includes a well packer of the retriev- Iable type (not shown) above the retrieving device B, then this well packer can be suitably manipulated to set it in anchored position in the well casing, whereupon fluid pumped down the tubing string C and through the retrieving device B can pass outwardly Ithrough the lower end Kof the wash-over sleeve 123 for outward passage through casing perforations (not shown), or through other openings in the well casing D. After the retrieving device B has been `completely released from the control rod 77, the pressure in the tubing string can be relieved, the spring 134 shifting the piston 128 down to its initial position, which will cause the latches 127 to engage the companion surfaces 141, 143 at the lower portion of the cylinder 120, to urge the latches in an inward direction.

As stated above, release of the restraint on the control rod 77 then allows it to be urged to the central position by the springs 85, 86 `and both the upper `and lower valves 88, 96 of the bridge plug to close, the upper or lower slips 13 or 28 of the plug then engaging the casing D, depending upon the presence of a pressure differential above the bridge plug or below the bridge plug.

In the event it is desired to release the bridge plug A from the well casing D and retrieve it, the tubing string C, with the retrieving device or overshot B secured to its lower end, is lowered -in the well casing, the wash-over sleeve 123 passing over the control rod 77, the upper tapered head 124 on the control rod engaging the latches 127, urging the latter in an upward and `outward direction against the force of the spring 134 until the latch noses 126 are disposed lower than the latch shoulder 125 on the -control rod. When the latches are so disposed, the spring 134 is again effective to shift the piston 12S down, the lower portions of the latches engaging the tapered surfaces 141, 143 on the `cylinder 120 to be urged inwardly under the control rod shoulder 125, the latches being shifted within the holding surface 143 yof the cylinder, which will then secure the noses 126 under the shoulder 125.

Upward movement of the tubing string C then is communicated to the cylinder 120, and through the latches 127 to the control rod shoulder 125, shifting the control rod 77 in an upward direction, to cause its upper shoul-der 104 to engage the upper valve head 88 `and shift it upwardly to open position, as well as elevating the crosspiece 74 with respect to the body 10 of the packer and of the slip and drag block housing 46 to place it against the upper ends of the body and housing slots 75, 73, which locates the slips 13, 28 in a neutral position. The entire bridge plug A can now be elevated in the well lcasing to a new location, or it may be completely raised to the top of the hole and removed from the well casing, the fluid passing down through the open upper valve seat 89 into the packer body 10, unseating the lower valve head 96 against the force of its spring 86 for discharge into the casing D below the packer A.

The inventors claim:

l. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a Well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit :against downward movement, said vlower expander means and slip means coasting with `each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; and means coasting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to Asaid slip means to expand `said slip means into engagement with the conduit to-selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit. Y

2. In a well tool: a body yadapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with ysaid body yin the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means, said expander means and lslip means coa ing with each other to anchor said body to the condut against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coasting with -said `slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit t-o resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; and means operatively associated withv said slip means and with said body and upper 1and lower expander means and adapted to occupy one position for preventing such relative longitudinal movement between said slip means and said body and upper and lower expander means to prevent expansion of such slip means into engagement with the conduit during longitudinal movement of the well tool in the well conduit, and adapted to occupy another position to permit such relative longitudinal movement and thereby permit expansion of such slip means into engagement with the conduit.

3. In a well tool: a body adapted to be lowered in a well bore conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; an upper conduit engaging packing mounted on said body; a lower conduit engaging packing mounted on said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means Iand coasting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and kslip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; and means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein yand enable `said body and upper :and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand `said slip means into engagement with the -conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit.

4. In a well tool: a body adapted to be movedlongitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander fixed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coasting with said upper and lower expanders, said upper expander and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; and means coasting with said slip means and rictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expanders to be moved lli longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said Slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit.

5. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander xed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageablev slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coasting with said upper and lower expanders, said upper expander and slip means coasting wi-th each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; an upwardly facing cup-shaped packing fixed to said body above said upper expander; a downwardly facing cup-shaped packing ixed to said body below said lower expander; and rmeans coasting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and expanders to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with thetconduit to selectively anchor said -body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit.y

6. .in a well tool: a body adapted to 'be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slid-able longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coasting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and `slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coasting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body Iand upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said holding means for shitting `said holding means in said body to a position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

7. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coasting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and Slip means coasting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coasting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means in said body to a position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; an upper conduit engaging packing mounted on said body; and a lower conduit engaging packing mounted on said body.

8. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander fixed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageable slip vmeans slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with said upper and lower expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coacting with each -other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expanders to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and expanders relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expanders from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means in said body to a position allowing said body and expanders to move relative to said slip means to expand `said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

9. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander xed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with said upper and lower expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coacting with each `other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expanders to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and expanders relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expanders from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means in said body to a position allowing said body and expanders to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; an upper conduit engaging packing iixed to said body; and a lower conduit engaging packing xed to said body.

l0. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; a housing movable longitudinally on the exterior of said body with respect to said upper and lower expander means and carrying said slip means; and means on said housing frietionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and slip means therein to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit.

ll. in a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; a housing movable longitudinally on the exterior of said body and carrying said slip means; means on said housing frictionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and expander means to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said housing and body to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means in directions to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means with respect to said body and housing to a position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

l2. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body tothe conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; and means engageable with said slip means to urge said slip means from expanded position to retracted position upon longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means with respect to said slip means.

13. in a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip 'means 'coacting with each 'other vto anchor said ybody to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slipvmeans and Vfrictionally engageable with the conduit to resist ymovement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip -means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively -anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; and means movable with said ybody and upper and lower expander means and engageable with said slip means to urge said slip means from expanded position to retracted position upon longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means with respect to said slip means.

.14. In a well tool: `a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit and having a passage; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said yupper ex. pander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, Ysaid lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to lresist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or Idownward movement in the conduit; and means for selectively opening or closing said body passage.

l5. In a well tool: a body having a passage and adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; upper fand lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper 'and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit;lholding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means Vto prevent longitudinal movementof said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means in said body to a position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and valve means for closing said passage; said holding means being engageable with said valve means to shift said valve means to open position.

A16. In a well tool: a body having a passage and adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; upper andlower expander means movable longitudinally withl said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable llongitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward.

movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body andupper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; valve means for closing said body passa-ge; said holding means being engageable with said valve means to shift said valve means to open position; and means for shifting said valve means to closed position and said holding means -in said body to a position allowing said body and upper and lowervex.- pander means to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

17. In a well tool: a body having a passage and adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander fixed to said body; a lower expander lixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable lon.- gitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with said upper and lower 'expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expanderand slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; a housing movable longitudinallyon the exterior of said body and carrying said slip means; means on said housing frictionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and (slip.

means therein to enable said body and upper and lower expanders to` be moved longitudinally relativeA to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said housing and body to preventrelative longitudinal movement yof said body and upper and lower expanders relative to said slip meansin'directions to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; valve means for closing said passage; said holding means being engageable with said valve means to shift said valve means to open position; and means for shifting said valve means to closed position and said holding means in said body to a positionV allowing said body and upper and lower expanders to' move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means:

into anchoringengagement with the conduit.

18. In a well tool: a body adapted tobe moved lon-nv gitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander lixed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with'said expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coacting with each other to anch/or said body to the conduit against upward movement; `a housing movable longitudinally on the exterior of said body and carrying said slip means; means on said housing frictionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and slip means therein to enable said body and upper and lower expanders to be 'moved longitudinally relative to said slip means to expand said slipl means against the conduit; said body having an elongate slot therein; said housing having a longitudinally extending recess substantially aligned with said slot; a rod in said body and movable longitudinally with respect thereto; a cross-piece xed to said rod and extending through said body slot into said housing recess; said rod and crosspiece being moved longitudinally of said body to locate said cross-piece into engagement with the body at the lower end of said slot and into engagement with said housing at the lower end of said recess, said cross-piece also being movable by said rod upwardly along said body and housing into engagement with said body at the upper end of said slot and with said housing at the upper end of said recess, whereby longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expanders relative to said slip means is prevented to prevent said upper and lower expanders from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said rod for shifting said rod and cross-piece to a median position within said slot and recess to allow said body and upper and lower expanders to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

19. In a well tool: a body having a passage and adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an yupper expander iixed to said body; a lower expander iixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with said expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; a housing movable longitudinally on the exterior of said body and carrying said slip means; means on said housing frictionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and slip means therein to enable said body and upper and lower expanders to be moved longitudinally relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; said body having an elongate slot therein; said housing having a longitudinally extending recess substantially aligned with `said slot; a rod in said body and movable longitudinally with respect thereto; a cross-piece fixed to said rod and extending through said body slot into said housing recess; said rod and cross-piece being moved longitudinally of said body to locate said crosspiece into engagement with the body at the lower end of said slot and into engagement with said housing at the lower end of said recess, said cross-piece also being movable by said rod upwardly along said body and housing into engagement with said body at the upper end of said slot and with said housing at the upper end of said recess, whereby longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expanders'relative to said slip means is prevented to prevent said upper and lower expanders from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means engageable with said rod for shifting said rod and cross-piece to a median position within said slot and recess to allow said body and upper and lower expanders to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; valve means engageable .with said body to close said passage; and means on said rod engaging said valve means to shift said valve means to open position.

20. In a well tool: a body having a passage and adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; an upper expander fixed to said body; a lower expander fixed to said body; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expanders and coacting with said expanders, said upper expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; a housing movable longitudinally on the exterior of said body and carrying said slip means; means on said housing frictionally engaging the conduit to resist movement of said housing and slip means therein to enable said body and upper and lowerexpanders to be moved longitudinally relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the conduit; said body having an elongate slot therein; said housing having a longitudinally extending recess substantially aligned with said slot; a rod in said body and movable longitudinally with respect thereto; a cross-piece fixed to said rod and extending through said body slot into said housing recess; said rod and cross-piece being moved longitudinally of said body to locate said cross-piece into engagement with the body at the lower end of said slot and into engagement with said housing at the lower end of said recess, said cross-piece also being movable by said rod upwardly along said body and housing into engagement with said body at the upper end of said slot and with said housing at the upper end of said recess, whereby longitudinal movement ot' said body and upper and lower expanders relative to said slip means is prevented to prevent said upper and lower expanders from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; means engageable with said rod for shifting said rod and cross-piece to a median position within said slot and recess to allow said body and upper and lower expanders to move relative to said slip means to expand said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; an upper valve member movable downwardly into engagement with said body to close said passage against downward flow of fluid therethrough; a lower valve member movable upwardly into engagement with a lower portion of said body to close said passage against upward flow of fluid therethrough; means engaging both of said valve members to urge said valve members to passage closing position; and means on said rod engageable with said upper and lower valve members to shift said upper and lower valve mem bers to open position upon longitudinal movement of said rod Vrelative to said body.

2l. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinallyin a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body tothe conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip 'means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to rselectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said vslip means anchored to the conduit; and means for holding said body and upper and lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means.

22. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longi# tudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means Fccacting'with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander vmeans to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with `the conduit to selectively anchor said body against -eitherupward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling :said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said slip means anchored to the conduit; and control means engageable with said slip means and body and movable longitudinally of said body in both directions to selectively prevent relative longitu- -dinal movement between said body and slip means to lhold said body and upper and lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means or to per- ;mit such relative longitudinal movement to allow said slip means to be anchored to the conduit.

23. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander ,means movable longitudinally with said body in the tconduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longittudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower rexpander means and coacting with said upper and lower texpander means, said upper expander means and slip :means coacting with each other to anchor said body to ithe conduit against downward movement, said lower (expander means and slip means coacting with each other ito anchor said body to the conduit against upward moveiment; said upper expander means and lower expander imeans being spaced from each other to prevent both of fsaid expander means from simultaneously holding said :slip means anchored to the casing; and means coacting wvith said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein :and enable said body and upper and lower expander imeans to be moved longitudinally with respect to said lslip means to expand said slip means into engagement with tthe -conduit to selectively anchor said body against either rupward `or downward movement in the conduit.

24. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper :and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; 4.conduit engageable slip means slidable as a unit longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; said upper expander means and lower expander means being spaced from each other to prevent both of said expander means from simultaneously holding said slip means anchored to the casing; and means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit.

25. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable as a unit longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to `anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other toanchor'said bo'dy to the conduit against upward move? ment; said upper expander means and lower expander means being spaced from each other` to prevent both of said expander means from simultaneously holding said slip means anchored to the casing; means coacting with said slip means and irictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said slip means anchored to the conduit; and control means engageable with said slip means and body and movable longitudinally of said body in both directions to selectively prevent longitudinal movement between said body and slip means to hold said body and upper yand lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means or to permit such relative longitudinal movement to allow said slip means to be anchored to the conduit.

26. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other toV anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means` coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said bodyv against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said slip means anchored to the conduit; and control means engageable with said slip means and body and movable longitudinally of said body in both directions to selectively prevent relative longitudinal movement between said body and slip means to hold said body and upper and lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means or to permit such relative longitudinal movement to allow said slip means to be anchored to the conduit; said control means comprising a rod movable within said body, and a crosspiece extending through said body and engageable with said rod and slip means.

27. In a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a Well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower ex pander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward move ment; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the Iconduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said slip means anchored to the conduit; and control means engageable with said slip means and body to selectively prevent relative longitudinal movement between said body and slip means to hold said body and upper and lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means or to permit such relative longitudinal movement to allow said slip means to be anchored to the conduit.

28. In a well tool: a body adapted to Ibe moved longitudinally in a well conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement oi said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said -body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; said frictionally engageable means also enabling said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally with respect to said slip means from a position in which said slip means is anchored to the conduit to a neutral position wherein neither of said upper and lower expander means holds said slip means anchored to the conduit; and control means engageable with said slip means and body to prevent relative upward movement between said body and slip means and rela- Cil 24 tive downward movement between said body and slip means and hold said body and upper and lower expander means in said neutral position relative to said slip means; said control means being shiftable to permit such relative upward and downward movements.

29. ln a well tool: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in a well bore conduit; upper and lower expander means movable longitudinally with said body in the conduit; conduit engageable slip means slidable longitudinally with respect to said body and upper and lower expander means and coacting with said upper and lower expander means, said upper expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against downward movement, said lower expander means and slip means coacting with each other to anchor said body to the conduit against upward movement; means coacting with said slip means and frictionally engageable with the conduit to resist movement of said slip means therein and enable said body and upper and lower expander means to be moved longitudinally With respect to said slip means to expand said slip means into engagement with the conduit to selectively anchor said body against either upward or downward movement in the conduit; holding means movable longitudinally in and with respect to said body and engageable with said slip means to prevent longitudinal movement of said body and upper and lower expander means relative to said slip means to prevent said upper and lower expander means from expanding said slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit; and means engageable with said holding means for shifting said holding means in said body in both an upward and a downward direction to a position allowing said body and upper and lower expander means to move relative to said slip means to expand saidy slip means into anchoring engagement with the conduit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,225,143 Baker et al. Dec. 17, 1940 2,378,469 Denton June 19, 1945 2,383,453 Crickmer Aug. 28, 1945 2,569,457 Dale et al. Oct. 2, 1951 2,578,900 Ragan Dec. 18, 1951 

